Saturday

Mar 28, 2020 at 1:38 PM

Town officials say they’re concerned the Palm Beach Publix isn’t doing enough to keep shoppers safe, but the manager says the store has done all it can and it’s up to customers to maintain social distancing.

Residents should shop online and stay out of the Publix supermarket, several town officials said Friday.

Officials say they’re concerned the Palm Beach Publix supermarket isn’t doing enough to keep shoppers at a safe distance from one another to discourage transmission of the coronavirus.

RELATED: Coronavirus Florida: Former World Bank exec is first Coronavirus fatallity in Palm Beach.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends social distancing of at least 6 feet. But Town Councilwoman Julie Araskog said during Friday’s Town Council meeting that the store needs to be more aggressive about making sure that happens.

“They should put up tape (to keep customers apart) like other stores,” she said. “They are having [customers] checkout without distancing.”

Also, customers are gathering too close together outside the store before it opens each morning, she said.

“People are congregating outside en masse,” she said. “I’m calling for Publix to be more responsible and do what others are doing. People that go in there are calling me. They’re terrified.”

Araskog and Councilwoman Bobbie Lindsay both urged residents to have their groceries delivered through Instacart.

“I recommend not to go into the store,” Araskog said.

Lindsay said it’s difficult to keep a safe distance from people while in the store.

“Sign up for Instacart and stay out of Publix if there is any way you can,” she said. “Going into that store less often is a very positive thing.”

Town Manager Kirk Blouin said he’s been in touch with the store every day “to urge that they take steps to create social distancing.”

The town offered cones to help keep customers farther apart, he said. “We also suggested they tape off spots so people know where to stand. They were reluctant to do that without running it through legal.”

He said the town can offer suggestions but can’t tell a private business how to operate.

“They’re doing a good job of wiping down carts,” said Blouin, who also encouraged residents to use online services for grocery delivery.

Store manager Greg Serkin confirmed he’s spoken with town officials, and said Publix is trying to be cooperative.

“I’ve got signs up everywhere as you enter the store asking customers to practice social distancing,” Serkin said.

This weekend, he said, the store is set to install Plexiglas dividers in front of cashiers and the pharmacy, a measure being taken the 1,248-store chain.

“Everything the town has requested of us, we have passed along” to corporate management, he said. “It’s difficult to achieve social distancing because it comes down to cooperation with the customers.”

He said some customers are practicing social distancing, but “I wouldn’t describe it as most.”

Online shopping and home delivery of groceries is “a good practice to promote social distancing,” he said.

Since the pandemic erupted, the store has seen a big increase in both online and in-store sales, Serkin said.

In Palm Beach, he said, many residents have employees who do their shopping for them.

Also at Friday’s meeting, the council concurred with Blouin’s decision to issue an emergency order recommending residents “shelter in place,” which means stay at home unless they need to leave to engage in “essential activities,” as defined in the order from Gov. Ron DeSantis.